In Southern African folklore, a small devillish creature, about 2 foot high, that hides in huts, under beds, and behind curtains. It is said that they are sent by the spirits of restless ancestors to torment people if they did something wrong. The most noted is a strange or thudding noise under your bed. For this reason, many rural South Africans put their beds on bricks.

Person One: Eish, I heard a terrible noise last night under my bed, but i was too scared to go and have a look.

Person Two: Must have been a tokolosi, better put your bed on bricks...